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Galaxy earns a draw in playoff opener at Real Salt Lake

Galaxy forward Gyasi Zardes and Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando watch a shot by Zardes go wide of the goal in the first half Saturday.
(Rick Bowmer / Associated Press)
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When the final whistle sounded on Saturday’s Western Conference semifinal with Real Salt Lake, Galaxy goalkeeper Jaime Penedo looked toward the heavens, whispered something, then blessed himself.

Penedo was giving thanks for a stalwart effort in which he faced 16 shots and made six saves, preserving a scoreless draw in the first leg of a two-game playoff that concludes Nov. 9 at StubHub Center.

But maybe he should have thrown in a prayer for next week too. Because though Saturday’s game will go into the record books as a tie, for the Galaxy it was something of a loss — as in a lost opportunity. Because under Major League Soccer’s new postseason rules, getting shut out on the road — in Sandy, Utah — means the Galaxy must win the rematch outright.

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In a break from the past, road goals are now the first tiebreaker in two-leg playoffs, meaning Salt Lake can win this series with a victory or a tie in which both teams score.

“We have to win the game. It’s that simple,” Galaxy Coach Bruce Arena said.

But if Galaxy players feel like they have their backs against the wall, at least they’re comfortable there.

“The important thing is not losing. So at the end of the day, we’re happy with it,” forward Landon Donovan said. “We’re confident that at home we can go and score goals. But we’re going to have to play well defensively.”

They’ll also have to improve offensively, since Real Salt Lake has allowed just one goal in its last 552 minutes while shutting out its last four opponents. RSL goalie Nick Rimando didn’t have to work too hard for the latest one, seeing just three shots Saturday, only one of which was on target.

He was beaten once, by Gyasi Zardes late in the first half, but Zardes was ruled offside. The Galaxy tested Rimando again early in the second half, when Robbie Keane led a four-on-two counterattack. But with Zardes streaking up the right side unmarked, Keane held the ball too long, waiting until he had reached the end line before trying a cross from a difficult angle.

In the opening seconds, Penedo made a brilliant save of a Joao Plata shot that bent oddly in the wind; 14 minutes later, he rushed off his line to stop Plata again, this time on a right-footed shot from the right side of the box.

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With temperatures in the low 50s and a bone-chilling wind, the weather was a factor all night. So was referee Silviu Petrescu, who let the teams play for much of the first half before suddenly cracking down on the chippy play by whistling 35 fouls, 24 against the Galaxy.

“Ugly game,” said Arena, who’s happy to be going home. “To get out of here 0-0, we have to lay it on the line next week.”

The Galaxy has lost just once at home this season, guess who beat them?

Real Salt Lake.

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